NMFS News Release

Northeast Regional Office
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

Attention Scallop Dredge Vessels

Date: July 6, 1998

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is
seeking interested vessel operators for participation
in an experimental fishery for scallops on Georges
Bank.

The Center for Marine Science and Technology (CMAST) at the
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, has recently submitted a
request to conduct an experimental fishery to develop an area
management plan for scallops on Georges Bank. This request,
which is currently under review, would involve gathering data to
map high densities of scallops on Georges Bank, including within
areas identified as Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and the
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area.

To prepare for the experimental fishery, should it be approved,
NMFS is soliciting interested vessel operators in advance.
Vessels would need to be committed to this experiment for
approximately one month. The time period is likely to be mid-August to mid-September. Also, vessels would need to have
accommodations for two observers and have an operational Vessel
Monitoring System on board the vessel. Additional criteria will
be announced when the details are developed, including possible
criteria specifying gear standardization. Vessels will be
selected via a lottery system.

Vessel operators interested in participating in this experiment
need to notify NMFS in writing (mail or fax) by July 20. Please
include your name, vessel name and permit number, and telephone
number.